Res. No. 401
Resolution calling on the U.S. Congress to pass, and the President to sign, H.R.7439, also known as the Uniform Standards for Federal Law Enforcement Act of 2026, in relation to providing that federal law enforcement officers may only use deadly force when necessary to prevent imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury to the law enforcement officer or another person, and for other purposes
By Council Member Ung
Whereas, In recent years, the use of deadly force by Federal law enforcement officers has been the subject of significant national debate and public scrutiny, prompting calls for clearer, more consistent, transparent standards governing when such force may be used; and
Whereas, While many state and local law enforcement agencies operate under clearly defined statutory or departmental use-of-force policies, federal law enforcement agencies have historically relied on administrative guidance rather than uniform federal statutory standards to regulate the use of deadly force; and
Whereas, The absence of a clear federal statutory framework governing the use of deadly force across all federal law enforcement agencies has raised concerns among policymakers and advocates about consistency, accountability, and transparency when deadly force is used by federal officers; and
Whereas, The United States Department of Justice maintains a Department-wide Policy on Use of Force that allows deadly force only when an officer reasonably believes that a subject poses an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or another person, and which also restricts practices such as firing at moving vehicles, using warning shots, or employing certain restraint techniques except in extreme circumstances; and
Whereas, Although the Department of Justice policy establishes important guidelines, it exists primarily as an internal administrative policy and may be modified or rescinded without action by the United States Congress; and
Whereas, Codifying clear use-of-force standards in federal law would help ensure that federal officers across multiple agencies operate under consistent legal standards and would strengthen public confidence in federal law enforcement accountability; and
Whereas, H.R.7439, sponsored by U.S. House Representative Grace Meng, would establish a uniform statutory standard governing the use of deadly force by federal law enforcement officers and provide that a federal law enforcement officer may only use deadly force when the officer has a reasonable belief that such force is necessary to prevent imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury to the officer or another person; and
Whereas, The legislation clarifies that deadly force may not be used solely to prevent the escape of a fleeing suspect, solely to disable a moving vehicle, or against a person whose actions pose a threat only to themselves or to property; and
Whereas, The bill would also require that, whenever feasible and when doing so would not increase the danger to officers or others, a verbal warning be given before deadly force is used, prohibit warning shots outside of federal prison settings, and require training in alternative methods and tactics when deadly force is not authorized; and
Whereas, The legislation applies broadly to federal law enforcement personnel, including immigration officers, ensuring that the same high standard governing the use of deadly force applies across federal agencies; and
Whereas, Codifying these standards into federal law would ensure that the safeguards currently reflected in Department of Justice policy remain consistent and enforceable across administrations and agencies; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the U.S. Congress to pass, and the President to sign, H.R.7439, also known as the Uniform Standards for Federal Law Enforcement Act of 2026, in relation to providing that federal law enforcement officers may only use deadly force when necessary to prevent imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury to the law enforcement officer or another person, and for other purposes.
CMB
LS#22096
3/18/26